Richa Chadha’s new project will make you want to change the world

Get ready to be inspired

It’s not just the impactful Bollywood roles Richa Chadha has played in the past that make her a name to take note of; it’s also her dedication to giving back to the world.

“Niceness is so underrated,” says the star. “People doubt you so easily. If someone smiles at you in the elevator you start wondering why. I want to take all the public attention that comes my way and use it for good.”

Keeping that thought in mind, the star has just kicked off a campaign called ‘A Bungalow On The Hill’, put together by KETTO, actor Kunal Kapoor’s crowd funding digital platform, and Purnata, an NGO Chadha supports in a big way. The aim behind this campaign is simple: to provide a group of 15 female victims of human trafficking with a shelter home in Mumbai’s suburbs.

“I was initialy planning to do something to help underpriviledged kids,” Chadha says. “I went to visit the Purnata team, and I happened to meet some of these girls, and I decided I need to do something about this first. They were all looking out for a bigger house, so it just seemed to fit in and I’m really glad if I can be of any help to them. I’m thrilled.”

What really inspired Chadha to take this step (she’s already created a video featuring the women she wants to help in hopes of attracting more donations) were their stories. “You won’t believe what these girls have been through. One of them has been gang-raped, one has had several abortions, one has been sold off by someone within her family, one is an incest victim. Some of them have been scarred by acid burns, some by cigarette butts on their arms. They’ve been through hell. I met girls as young as 24 with 11-year-old children. You can’t imagine the kind of lives they’ve lived.”

While she’s always been attached to several causes and will continue to help them, Chadha’s aim right now is to just get the girls their dream home. “I promised them I would do this, but I don’t think they trust me yet!” she laughs. “I think they will when I have the house ready for them. Until then, I don’t think they’re going to believe me. And I don’t blame them.”

Want to lend Richa a hand? Watch this video to learn more about the cause, and get in touch here.